Robin Williams Made Millions Laugh, While Fighting His Own Demons

Sad news today, as the world has lost the comedic genius and bright personality of Robin Williams. The actor died at the age of 63, after a career that stretched over more than three decades and earned him the love of millions. Probably the most disturbing information that has come to light since Williams’ sudden death, is that the actor may have committed suicide.

The 63-year-old Good Will Hunting star was found unresponsive by paramedics in his house in in Tiburon, north of San Francisco, at around 11:55 am on Monday. He was pronounced dead at the scene, with the coroner’s early assessment pegging the cause as asphyxiation.

Mr. Williams has struggled with depression throughout most of his career, though it intesified in his final months. His representative, Mara Buxbaum, released a statement later on Monday, saying simply: “Rob passed away this morning. He has been battling severe depression of late. This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.”

More: Legendary Comedian Dies In Apparent Suicide

Williams’ wife also made a statement, asking for her family’s privacy to be respected and expressing her hope that the focus will remain not “on Robin's death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions.”

So far, the tributes to the late actor have kept that spirit, with tweets and breaking news reports recounting some of his biggest and best remembered achievements, from his breakthrough role in the 1978 sitcom Mork & Mindy, to iconic roles in films like Good Morning Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society and The Birdcage. Even the youngest got to enjoy Williams’ talent through the voice he lent to the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin.

Next page: Robin Williams' battle with addiction

Unfortunately, the actor had struggled with substance abuse and addiction throughout his career. Though he was prompted by the birth of his son to quit drugs in the 90s, the comedian has mentioned on several occasions that staying clean requires constant effort. In 2006, he checked himself into a rehabilitation center, later admitting that he was an alcoholic.

Last month Mr. Williams checked into an addiction centre in Minnesota for several weeks.

"After working back-to-back projects, Robin is simply taking the opportunity to fine-tune and focus on his continued commitment, of which he remains extremely proud," his spokesperson said at the time, according to TMZ.

Some of the tributes focused on his professional legacy, like Barack Obama’s statement, which read: "He was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien - but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry.

"He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most - from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalised on our own streets."

Others remembered Mr. Williams as a friend more than anything else.

Pam Dawber, Williams' co-star in Mork and Mindy, the television show that catapulted him to fame, said: "I am completely and totally devastated."

John Travolta, his co-star in the film Old Dogs, said: "I've never known a sweeter, brighter, more considerate person than Robin. Robin's commitment as an artist to lifting our mood and making us happy is compared to none. He loved us all and we loved him back."

Mia Farrow, the actress, tweeted: “No! Robin Williams you were so loved.”

David Steinberg, his manager of 35 years, said: "Nobody made the world laugh like Robin Williams. My brother, my friend, my soulmate, I will miss you."

More: Robin Williams Was Set To Reprise His Mrs. Doubtfire Role In A Sequel

His daughter Zelda, who recently celebrated her 25th birthday, later posted an excerpt from French poet and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupery's El Principito in tribute.

She added: "I love you. I miss you. I'll try to keep looking up."